Southern football cracks top 25 rankings for the first time

There is an old maxim, “it’s better to be lucky than good.” For Southern football, this spring season could have turned disastrous quite quickly. The Jags escaped Alabama State with a win that could have easily been a loss. A close loss against Arkansas-Pine Bluff saw starting quarterback LaDarius Skelton spend much of the game on the bench.

Skelton threatened early retirement, and it seemed as if a quarterback controversy was brewing in Baton Rouge. There were questions if the two-time SWAC Western Division champions had what it took to remain among the elite in the SWAC.

Winning is a great elixir

After their loss to the Golden Lions, the Jaguars posted back-to-back blowout wins. Skelton and head coach Dawson Odoms must have had a come to Jesus meeting; Skelton decided against early retirement and first led the Jags to a 51-23 route of the Texas Southern Tigers. Skelton led Southern in both rushing and passing.

The Jaguars defeated Jackson State handily on the road. Though Skelton split time with John Lampley, the senior had 77 rushing yards in the 34-14 route, solidifying first place in the SWAC West.

Though Southern won the last two SWAC West titles, they’d never been ranked in the FCS coaches’ top 25.

A physical, ball-control offense has not only powered the Jaguars, but the defense has also improved since giving up 30 points to Arkansas Pine-Bluff.

The Southern defense surrendered just 66 yards against Jackson State and shut out Texas Southern the entire third quarter. Their FCS ranking justified what coach Odoms believes about his football team.

“We’ve been good,” he said. “Now the world got a chance to see it. We’re a good football program. We’re a good institution.”

The Jags close their season with the Bayou Classic against Grambling State and need a team to upset Arkansas-Pine Bluff to take first place in the SWAC West.